Volume 4 Chapter 21 Hatred Spewed Out
The end of the battle was announced by silence.
The thunderous sound that had been echoing just moments ago disappeared as if it were a lie, and the stillness of the night returned. Lisha wondered what had happened. As a captive, she couldn't even confirm it.
Roze, who had been standing guard over her, frowned slightly. Did she know what was happening to the silver knight?
As for Lisha, even though she knew she would be restrained, she wanted to leave this room and go outside.
She was able to stay seated because something else had happened.
"Welcome back."
Roze bowed her head. The person who appeared when the door opened was not Yuusuke, but Larkan. He showed no signs of injury and seemed calm, as if he had not been fighting just a moment ago.
The moment Lisha saw him, the blood drained from her face and she felt faint. She managed to support her body, which was about to collapse, with her hands and bit her lip to stay conscious.
No, that couldn't be true.
Yuusuke couldn't lose. In every battle so far, no matter how unfavorable the situation seemed, he had always emerged victorious.
But reality was cruelly thrust upon Lisha.
"I apologize. I couldn't stop it."
"No need to apologize. I myself didn't stop what could be stopped."
Larkan said this to Roze, who bowed her head, and sat down on a nearby chair. While placing tea in front of him, Roze asked.
"Does that mean Larkan-sama missed it on purpose?"
"It wasn't intentional, but for a moment, I wondered what would happen if I let him escape here. That hesitation dulled my skills. It seems I am no longer a soldier after all."
"This is the moment Larkan-sama have been waiting for a long time. It's only natural for doubts to arise."
Larkan drank his tea and looked up at the lantern's light to calm his mind.
(He said he let him go just now?)
Lisha raised her face as she listened to their conversation.
A glimmer of hope amidst the dark clouds. Lisha clung to it and spoke.
"Is Yuusuke-san, is he alive?"
"..."
Larkan, with his eyes filled with a mysterious light, looked at Lisha.
"Yes. Silver was saved by the guardian and escaped from here. He suffered serious injuries, but he won't die so easily."
"I-I see..."
This time, relief washed over her and she felt her strength leave her body.
But soon, reality came crashing down. If Larkan was unharmed and Yuusuke had lost, then it must be true.
That's when Lisha realized. Larkan had mentioned Silver. Was that really Yuusuke?
As that thought crossed her mind, Larkan was right in front of her. The scent of an old battlefield filled the air, but Lisha, who had grown up in the church, didn't know what that smell was.
"There's no element to deny it now. He is the Hero. I confirmed it myself, so there's no mistake."
"S-such a thing..."
Larkan spoke calmly and heavily, without raising his voice.
"I have no interest in what burdens or thoughts you carry, but I won't allow you to turn away from the truth. Silver fights for you. No matter what anyone else says, you have a duty to face him."
"A duty..."
Lisha's mind wavered at those words.
She remembered the expressions he had shown her and the words he had spoken. His outstretched hand was warmer than anyone else's, and the place he had created was so comfortable.
Is Yamamoto Yuusuke really a Hero?
A righteous existence that appears in fairy tales. A hero for humanity. A person whom Saint Lisha should admire.
Yes. When she lived in the church, amidst the endless repetition of prayers and magic, she must have imagined countless times what kind of person the Silver Hero was.
Would he be a seasoned warrior filled with experience? Or a young prodigy?
Or perhaps a beautiful woman.
If she could meet them, she has always wanted to see their true face and hear their voice.
But now, the faces of the many idols she has imagined so far overlap with Yuusuke, who promised to protect her.
It naturally settled in her heart. The figure of a hero who wishes for someone's happiness and is willing to support it even at the cost of their own life, that is exactly what Lisha has always envisioned.
If that's the case, what Lisha should think about is...
――What I should think about is...
"..."
Glancing at the speechless Lisha, Larkan left the room, telling Roze to "rest."
Only Roze and Lisha were left behind.
Roze tidied up the tea utensils used by Larkan and replaced Lisha's tea with a new one. The sound of her movement echoed in the flickering light.
How long has it been like this?
The silence was broken by a noisy doppelganger appearing in Roze's black hair.
'What are you so lost in thought about? Your bodyguard is a hero, be more joyful.'
In response to the call, Lisha was pulled back from deep contemplation and turned her gaze towards Roze.
"To be joyful, you say?"
'Well, of course. He's the greatest hero for humanity. After all, he even killed that Demon Lord.'
Although it sounds like words praising the hero, there is something completely different contained within. Thorny malice was spat out.
"You dislike Yuusuke-san, don't you?"
'Dislike?'
Fifi's split hair mouth twisted.
'It's not that I dislike him.'
The black shadow mocked the innocent girl and continued to tarnish her pure heart with words.
'I hate him.'
The simple words spread throughout the room.
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